Wayne Wagner, son of Alvin and Maxine Wagner, was born in 1951. At an early age he began working on the farm with his father (Alvin) and his uncle (Willis) and formed his love for agriculture.

Wayne graduated from Crookston High School in 1969, and attended Moorhead State College for two years. While on the track team at Moorhead, he broke the school record for the 440 Intermediate hurdles.

Wayne married Kathy Erickson in 1970. In 1971 they moved back to Crookston where Wayne received his AA degree in Agricultural Business. Wayne and Kathy have two children. Daughter Kim and her husband, Mike, live in Sedalia, MO, and Troy and his wife, Shannon, live in Maple Grove, MN. Wayne and Kathy built their home in rural Crookston, in 1975, where they still reside.

In 1975, the family farm was incorporated as A.W.G. Farms, Inc., derived by the members of Alvin, Wayne and Gary Wagner. Since that time, his younger brother, Daryl, has joined the farm operation.

Wayne has been active in the West Polk County Farm Bureau, as county Vice President, state resolutions committee member, and as the state chairman of the Sugar Advisory Committee.

Wayne is currently a member of the Red River Valley Sugar Growers Association and serves as the legislative liaison. He is the President of the Crookston Factory District Board of Directors. Wayne belongs to two marketing clubs, and is also the chairman of a steering committee hoping to develop an Ethanol plant in Crookston. He is currently on the Board of Directors of his church.

In 1982, he as chosen King Agassiz of the Red River Valley Winter Shows. He was awarded the Torch and Shield Distinguished Service award at the University in 1993.